DES MOINES, Iowa — Another central Iowa school district is hopping on the four-day school week trend.
The Saydel Community School District will move to a four-day week for the 2024-25 school year after the Saydel School Board approved the decision at its meeting Monday night. The motion passed 7-0.
"We believe that the benefits of to students and families will further aid the Saydel community in achieving our mission and vision through the gift of time for wellness, as well as in recruiting students and staff to our school district," Superintendent Todd Martin said at the meeting.
Martin noted the shift would benefit teachers as well.
"If educators have the time to properly plan, prepare, develop professional tools, skills and strategies and balance their well being or mental health, then we hold greater capacity to serve the unique learning needs of each and every student," he said.
Other Iowa districts, such as the Mormon Trail Community School District and Cardinal School District, have already found success with four-day school weeks. More recently, the Board of Directors for Martensdale-St. Marys schools approved a transition to a four-day week.
Last November, Martin told Local 5 the district had researched other schools implementing the shortened school week while weighing the decision.
"In our research with other districts implementing the 4-day school week recruitment and retention of both students and staff improve, attendance increases significantly (hence achievement is positively impacted), and overall culture and climate improvement also impacts school safety and achievement," he said in an email.
However, Martin also noted some parents and community members had concerns regarding child care and food insecurity.
"Saydel stakeholders indicated concerns about increased child care costs and availability of childcare with the four-day school week," Martin said in a November email. "With that said, currently the district operates a child care program (Eagles Nest) that has the potential to be expanded for a minimal fee addressing the cost burden and availability issues."